Exterior photograph of the Overland Cotton Mill building located in Denver, Colorado. Writing on smoke stack reads "Cobusco". The 1891 Overland Cotton Mill was Colorado's only successful cotton mill. At its peak, the mill's annual production reached 12 million yards of cloth in a variety of types and patterns. The building operated as a mill from 1891 until 1903. The mill played a brief but important role in local labor history, particularly as it relates to children in the work force during the 1891-1903 period. The Mill's layout and fenestration typify large industrial buildings of late nineteenth century Denver. Such buildings were characterized by rhythmic bays of tall multi-light windows puncturing load-bearing masonry walls to maximize access for natural illumination.,The Overland Cotton Mill also operated as a munitions factory during World War II. The plant suffered a devastating fire in 1942. So important was the plant to the war production efforts that it was immediately repaired and restored to full operational status. The plant operated as a munitions factory from 1941 to 1945.

Original photograph held by The Office of Archaeology and Historic Preservation, History Colorado

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